Pinecrest to expand

Monday

Jan 21, 2013 at 10:47 PMJan 21, 2013 at 10:47 PM

Bryan added that the physical therapy clinic recently added at Pinecrest has been successful and will be adding more hours of availability to meet demand. More wellness classes are also planned for the future.The expansion of health facilities will mark a shift of operations from Mackinac Straits Health System's current location next door at the Citizen's National Bank Building, 580 S. Nicolet St. The company plans to continue to utilize that space in other ways.“We're definitely going to keep it but we're not sure what we'll do there,” Frush said, “whether it is is specialty docs or additional clinic space. But it will be re-purposed.”

Mike Fornes

By MIKE FORNESmike@cheboygantribune.comMACKINAW CITY — Expansion of Mackinac Straits Health System's facilities in Mackinaw City into first-floor space at Pinecrest Village of Mackinaw, 450 S. Nicolet St., seems to be a natural fit according to administrators."Mackinaw Straits will be expanding their Therapy/Wellness Center to include doctor services, lab, x-ray and retail pharmacy," Tonya Fegan, Pinecrest Village marketing director, said Monday. "Pinecrest will be doing some remodeling and moving our dining room and activity area."Administrator Lucretia Bryan pointed to plans for six examination rooms, a treatment room, X-ray center and laboratory facility on an architect's design. Also included will be a year-round, retail pharmacy."The pharmacy will be open year-round and will have outside access," said Fegan. "That will be really nice for residents of Mackinaw City. They currently don't have a pharmacy and have to drive some distance to pick up a prescription."Mackinaw Straits Health System's Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Officer of Operations Wendy Frush pointed to the pharmacy as being a key to the project's success. "That pharmacy is much needed in the community and will be a benefit to the area year-round," said Frush, who has overseen the development of her company in Mackinaw City. "We're pretty excited about it. We think it's a great fit being right here at Pinecrest, their business will benefit from this too." New jobs will be created in operations of the clinic, the pharmacy and the construction itself."I think we're probably looking at 10 to15 jobs," Frush estimated. "We're looking at the clinic being open on weekends and the pharmacy will need a pharmacist and a pharmacy tech. "We'd like the pharmacy to be open seven days a week. Our physical therapy department will continue to grow, too. It is an opportunity for local people to get an established position. We will use local contractors as much as possible in the building process."The remodeling project is set to begin soon and will work around Pinecrest residents, who will benefit from the work. Most of the space to be re-designed is now Pinecrest's dining area."Our residents will have a new activity room added on our second floor," Fegan explained. "Our current dining room will be moved to where the activity room is currently located."Bryan added that the physical therapy clinic recently added at Pinecrest has been successful and will be adding more hours of availability to meet demand. More wellness classes are also planned for the future.The expansion of health facilities will mark a shift of operations from Mackinac Straits Health System's current location next door at the Citizen's National Bank Building, 580 S. Nicolet St. The company plans to continue to utilize that space in other ways."We're definitely going to keep it but we're not sure what we'll do there," Frush said, "whether it is is specialty docs or additional clinic space. But it will be re-purposed."